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Meet Born to Crunch Ambassador, Jonathan Markowitz. Brother of the crunch fam whose passions about his work in the sustainable seafood education industry expand from teaching future generations to preaching love on his surfboard. This is why Jon crunches.

What makes us human? The answer is simple: we cook. However, our connection to food is diluted by convenience. Most of us go to the grocery store and find everything we could ever want in pre-packaged, no-hassle form, but few question the story behind what's inside that package. I crunch because I want to know the story behind the food I eat and to inspire others to want the same. I love the convenience associated with packaged food, so I look for that, but with a trustworthy supply chain. Born to Crunch has all that I want: convenience, deliciousness, fuel for extended surf sessions, and most importantly, a supply chain in which I can trust. Good food results in a happy soul. The more I crunch, the bigger I smile.

This is why I crunch.

Jon Markowitz, 24

Venice, CA

Quote: “…In regards to surfing, I’ve learned that there is always another wave coming. Translated, that means there is always tomorrow. No matter how badly you get caught inside, if you can just hang in there and keep paddling, the set is going to pass and there will be a lull afterwards. So don’t give up, just take your pounding, wait until the set passes, then make your move.” -Gerry Lopez AKA Mr. Pipeline

Song: “3rd Planet” - Modest Mouse

Piece of Equipment: A full quiver of surfboards. There are always waves if you have the right equipment. But as of recent, my go-to board is my Bluegill shaped by John Wegener

Favorite Author: Jon Krakauer

Movie: Endless Summer

Hobbies: Anything in, around, on, or under the ocean. Cooking with local ingredients. Creating music in the California sunshine.

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I don’t like to think much about nutrition, whether in the mountains or at home. It isn’t fun for me. And worrying about it is time I’d rather spend doing something else. I unfailingly excuse poor athletic performance with bad sleep, an “off day,” or another likely inaccurate point of blame. A foodie I am not—I know what works for me, what doesn’t, and what's easy. Food is fuel. If it tastes good, BONUS. At home, I eat granola every day. It’s simple power food and I love it. But I’m not home very much. Born to Crunch can travel with me and reminds me of home wherever I am, climbing and skiing the world’s mountains.

This is why I crunch

Photo: Mary McIntyre

Brody Leven

5 Oct 1987

A professional skier who spends very little time actually skiing downhill.

Based in SLC since 2006. From Chesterland, Ohio.

Sponsors: Salomon, Goal Zero, Garmin

Listening: Hip-hop. Old school hip-hop. Also, new school hip-hop. Podcasts. All of them.

Piece of equipment can’t live without: Garmin watch

I’ve never owned a TV, haven’t seen a movie since my college bought out a screening of Avatar, and generally hate screens.

Date

March 15 2017

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Meet Born to Crunch Ambassador, Thomas Woodson! Photographer, cinematographer, and editor focused on the outdoors. He's all about the #vanlife...I bet you his van is more spotless and organized than your home. Thomas knows what an adventure looks like.

This is why Thomas crunches.

I crunch because I enjoy putting in the hard work to reap the benefits of this world. I like to live with a focus on minimalism, through my impact on the planet and also with the way I carry myself through the backcountry. Clean simple eating keeps me on the go, and my metabolism running fast with a vegetarian diet. To me, food is medicine and eating well with high quality foods is hopefully my ticket to a long life lived outdoors.

This is why I crunch.

Thomas Woodson, 26

Boulder, CO

Quote: “Expect the unexpected and live life without expectations.” —Unknown

Song: “Awake” – Tycho

Piece of Equipment: Yeti Cycles SB6c. It’s like some sort of wizard's bike that goes fast and doesn’t crash.

I crunch because I want my time spent on this beautiful planet to be anything but soft. Crunching symbolizes a go-getter attitude and an all-or-nothing mentality that I take with me to the start line of every ultra or ski-mountaineering race, and to the ever important fight to keeping Mother Gaia protected. From a a dietary standpoint, crunching means the exact same thing! I'm a Celiac, but instead of using that as an excuse to go soft, I crunch ahead with the most delicious, and most wholesomely energy-providing granola in the biz.

This is why I crunch.

Clare Gallagher, 25

Boulder, CO

Quote: "Enlightenment isn't found with a full stomach, or on a soft pillow." - World-class mountaineer and The North Face Team Captain, Conrad Anker.

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I crave post epic-adventure exhaustion. There's nothing better than exploring our wilderness and playing outside. It keeps me inspired, hopeful, and reignites the spark that is liveliness. Recreating in the backcountry isn't just a lesson in alpinism, but relationships. It strips away all the insignificant layers of humanity. What is left is a team of adventurers, all purely human, working together to achieve a shared goal and return safely. The bonds formed in nature are unattainable elsewhere. It is the realest classroom. And we must pledge to save it.

This is why I crunch.

About me.

Caroline Frieda Markowitz, 27

Chief Executive Cruncher

Denver, CO

Quote.

Current: "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Howard Thurman